published on 14.01.2008, 12:29 Author: Denitsa Paskaleva Article rating:
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Hidden in the slopes of the Rhodope Mountains, in the valley of Chepelarska River, hides Bachkovski monastery. The monastery is located 10 km south of Assenovgrad and 29 km away from Plovdiv. Bachkovski monastery is among the oldest in Bulgaria. It combines three cultures – Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian.
The cloister was founded in 1083 by the Georgian military commander Grogori Bakuriani and his brother Abazi. In 1344, the monastery and the surrounding area came under the rule of the Bulgarian king Ivan Alexander. The Byzantine Empress Anna reassigned this territory to the Bulgarian ruler. The king patronized the cloister and made considerable donations.
In 1364, the monastery was conquered by Ottoman soldiers. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the cloister suffered several robberies and devastations. It was renovated in the early 17th century. St. Bogoroditsa church, which is still preserved, was built in 1604.
The most treasured item of the monastery is the miraculous St. Bogoroditsa Eleusta icon, which dates as far back as 1310. A legend, describes how the icon came flying to Bachkovo from a Georgian monastery since it lacked the due respect there.
During the 19th century, the Bachkovski monastery was an important spiritual and cultural center. It was renovated. A new church was constructed in 1838 under the name St. Nikola Church.
Many rare plants such as ginger, persimmon, magnolia, Chinese pine and laurel can be seen in the monastery yard.
The monastery is a Bulgarian cultural monument. A hotel offering accommodation to 200 people in the complex and numerous hotels and hostels in the village of Bachkovo can provide you the needed facilities and allow you to spend the night close to the monastery.
The cloister was founded in 1083 by the Georgian military commander Grogori Bakuriani and his brother Abazi. In 1344, the monastery and the surrounding area came under the rule of the Bulgarian king Ivan Alexander. The Byzantine Empress Anna reassigned this territory to the Bulgarian ruler. The king patronized the cloister and made considerable donations.
In 1364, the monastery was conquered by Ottoman soldiers. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the cloister suffered several robberies and devastations. It was renovated in the early 17th century. St. Bogoroditsa church, which is still preserved, was built in 1604.
The most treasured item of the monastery is the miraculous St. Bogoroditsa Eleusta icon, which dates as far back as 1310. A legend, describes how the icon came flying to Bachkovo from a Georgian monastery since it lacked the due respect there.
During the 19th century, the Bachkovski monastery was an important spiritual and cultural center. It was renovated. A new church was constructed in 1838 under the name St. Nikola Church.
Many rare plants such as ginger, persimmon, magnolia, Chinese pine and laurel can be seen in the monastery yard.
The monastery is a Bulgarian cultural monument. A hotel offering accommodation to 200 people in the complex and numerous hotels and hostels in the village of Bachkovo can provide you the needed facilities and allow you to spend the night close to the monastery.
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Religious tourism is probably one of the most popular and attractive manners to discover a country. Bulgaria has to offer a wide range of religious tourism opportunities. The country has numerous sanctuaries, most of which have managed to stand the test of time. Monasteries and churches have been existing over the centuries, preserving the spirituality, culture and beliefs of Bulgarian. Their history is often turbulent and saturated with peaks and downfalls. Today, the country has much to show to the world. Each Bulgarian sanctuary preserves its stories, works of art and religious charge. This part of the website will provide you with more information about the Bulgarian religious sites and what you can expect from each visit.
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Bachkovski Monastery